Webroot vs Norton Antivirus: Which One Is Better For You?

Have you been struggling to figure out which Antivirus software to choose from out of Webroot and Norton? Then look no further as this blog will solve all your queries and help you easily reach a decision. This is a world-renowned fact by now that when it comes to antivirus software and antivirus providers, both Webroot and Norton are at the top of their games. On the one hand, Norton is well known for its protection from harmful viruses that are most likely to corrupt users' computers, and on the other hand, Webroot is known for its tightened cyber security.

Given the fact that both the antivirus providers are backed with tonnes of incredible features, it is often hard to choose between the two. This blog is an ultimate comparison of Webroot vs Norton. The comparisons are made on the basis of their backgrounds, pricing, effectiveness against malware, impact on computer’s performance, and of course, their features. Keep reading to find out everything about Webroot vs Norton.

Webroot vs Norton: Overview Of Basic Differences

To start the Webroot vs Norton comparison, it is important to know a little background of both antivirus software providers. Operated under the labels and ownership of Symantec Corporation, Norton is one of the biggest antivirus software vendors today. The Symantec Corporation that holds the ownership of Norton today is also part of Norton’s software suite of computer security products and is a Fortune 500 company. Norton, over the years, has won many awards for its security products, and hence it is a trusted name in the antivirus business.

On the other hand, Webroot Inc. is a privately owned company having its headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, which gives next-generation endpoint security to businesses and sole consumers. Webroot today is a massive name in the cybersecurity space and is also the antivirus industry leader in combating spyware. It is also the maker of award-winning Spy Sweeper, which became popular among businesses early on its release in the market. Webroot literally started from nothing, and today has become a globally recognized company that is responsible for providing innovative products, cyber security solutions, and more.

What Are Their Backgrounds: Webroot Vs Norton 

Even though this basis of comparison is hardly going to affect your decision in choosing the antivirus software out of the two, you can look for sure to check the background for their reliability. The background knowledge of the Webroot vs Norton comparison is important as it gives an idea about how much you can trust your antivirus provider.

Webroot was initially founded by Steven Thomas in 1997 in Boulder, Colorado. The main purpose was to provide privacy, protection, and peace of mind to computer users. The biggest achievement of Webroot to date is its first automated research system named Phileas. 

Norton first came into the market in 1991, around six years before Webroot. In 2017 its name changed to Norton Life Lock after Norton acquired Life lock identity protection. In the year 2007, Norton held 61 percent of the total US market share in security suites, making it significant among its other competitors. As of now, Norton has nearly fifty million consumers worldwide, facilitating trusted service in the complex digital world.

Webroot Vs Norton: Which One Is More Affordable? 

Everything today comes with a price, especially safety. If you opt for the paid services and paid add-on feature to access, the risk of losing private data and information reduces to an absolute minimum. Although oftentimes we get tempted to opt for non-paid services for what it is worth paying can solve a lot of deeper threat issues.

Starting this Webroot vs Norton comparison on affordability and pricing, we will begin with the standard and premium products of both antivirus providers. Norton's antivirus software starts at $59.99 per year and goes up to $149.99 per year/ The products that Norton offers are standard ones and premium ones. The difference between the basic and deluxe products is you get more parental controls and device coverage. Also, if you go to their official website, you will find antivirus products that are made just for gamers.

The price structure of Webroot has a much simpler approach, but you won't get as much flexibility as you get in Norton. The basic antivirus of Webroot starts at only $39.99 per year, which is just half of Norton’s Standard product. The Webroot Internet Security Plus can protect up to five devices and would cost $59.99 per year. Webroot’s top-tier premium product comes at only in $79.99, which is again half of the price at which the deluxe product of Norton is available.

Effectiveness Against Malware: Webroot vs Norton 

To understand the Webroot vs Norton comparison on the ground of its effectiveness against malware, we are going to derive the conclusion from a few tests. According to AV-Test, which was held in September and October 2021, Norton scored a total hundred percent. Unfortunately, no AV-Test was run by Webroot.

In the other test of AV-Comparatives, which is an independent testing site, Norton again received a 100 percent protection rate, and it has a recorded high number of 37 false alarms during the test period, which is, in fact, the highest that any antivirus software provider has given. But again, AV-Comparatives did not test Webroot. So, we can derive the conclusion that Norton has outperformed Webroot and has scored well when it comes to effectiveness against malware.

Webroot Vs Norton: How Much Do They Impact The Computer’s Performance? 

Whenever we install any antivirus software in our computer systems, there are chances that the functioning of the computer is not as smooth as before. And for every computer user, speed and performance both are very important. Often times the speed and performance of the computer slow down, and it might create some agitation in the users. 

Norton has received a good rating for installing applications in the system at a faster speed. Webroot, on the other hand, uses more resources while it is scanning the computer system for possible malware and viruses. 

Additional Features They Offer: Webroot Vs Norton 

If you ever go for paid services of both Norton and Webroot, there are certain additional features that you will get along with the paid plan you opt for. Starting with Norton, if you go for Norton 360 Deluxe, you get a cloud backup of 50 GB, real-time threat protection, Monitoring of the Dark Web, Password Manager, additional parental control, and a secure VPN. 

With Webroot Complete, you get advanced threat protection, additional protection that stops the ransomware, you also get 25GB of secure online storage, it also eliminates traces of all the online activity, you get fast scans, and it also protects account logins and passwords.